Train operated folding partition

ABSTRACT

A train operated folding partition of the top supported, center folding, operable panel, type, in which each panel is supported from an overhead trackway by its own carrier, and the panels are hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming or unfolded positions, and wall folded or stacked positions, wherein each carrier is free to move relative to the panel it carries between a position at the center of the panel and a position adjacent one edge of the panel, as the panels are moved between their stacked and the wall forming positions.

[ 1 Jan. 8, 1974 3,667,162 6/1972 I Lalague 49/254 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 588,180 5/1947 Great 49/254 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor AtzorneyRobert C. Brown, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A train operated folding partition of the top supported, center folding, operable panel, type, in which each panel is supported from an overhead trackway by its own carrier, and the panels are hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming or unfolded positions, and wall folded or stacked positions, wherein each carrier is free to move relative to the panel it carries between a position at the center Charles E. Williams, Janesville, Wis. [73] Assignee: Hough Manufacturing Corporation,

Janesville, Wis.

Apr. 5, 1972 Appl. No.: 241,356

US. 160/199, 160/206 [51] Int. E05d 15/26 Field of Search.-................... 160/199, 206, 118;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS UnitedStates Patent Williams TRAIN OPERATED FOLDING PARTITION [75] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

of the panel and a position adjacent one edge of the panel, as the panels are moved between their stacked and the wall forming positions.

13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 9 9 x xx 92900 w nm 1 1 /4//6 O .09 6 64 1 1 T-add........

Stokes......

PATENTED JAN SHEET '4 0F 4 312 /64 IIIIIEIIIIIIIIIIIII HGT FIGS

FIGJO FIG.9

1 TRAIN OPERATED FOLDING PARTITION This invention relates to train operated folding partitions, and more particularly, to partitions of the top supported, center stacking operable panel type, in which the panels are hinged together in side by side relation for movement of the partition between a wall folded or stacked position and a wall forming or unstacked position.

As is well known in the art, when the panels of the top supported center stacked folding partition type each have their own center mounted carrier, and all of the panels are hinged in train form, the partition tends to act in pantograph or lazy-tong manner, in that the mechanical linkage thereby provided results in simultaneous and unyielding movement of all the panels when one panel is moved. Because of the tendencies of the panels of such an arrangement to become damaged, either at the panel hinges or elsewhere, when so interconnected, it has long been the practice in this field to, when the panels are all edge connected in a train, support only every otherpanel from an overhead carrier. Such arrangements have a number of disadvantages, such as the need for rub rails on either side of the track, and the need for very accurate mounting of the trackways in special elevational disposition to overcome back folding tendencies. Another disadvantage is that regardless of the span the partition is to close, an odd number of panels is required since the first and last panels each must have its own carrier. This means that, given a span that could be closed by an even number of standard width panels, an odd number of panels still must be employed, which obviously requires special manufacturing considerations that increase the cost of making and installing the partition.

Alternately, the panels on top supported center folding partitions are hinged together in groups of no more than about two or three panels to a group. In arrangements such as this, obviously each group of panels requires separate handling in unfolding or stacking the partition.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a top supported, center stack, folding partition arrangement of the train operated type in which each panel has its own carrier without having the objectionable pantograph type linkage movement that has been inherent in prior art train operated partitions of the center stack, top supported type.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a top supported, center stack, folding partition of the train operated type in which each panel has its own carrier, and the carriers are free to adjust in the plane of the respective panels as the partition moves between its stacked and unstacked positions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a train operated partition arrangement that may be made up in either odd or even numbers, and that may be made up entirely of equal width panels, or all panels of equal width except the end panels, as economy best dictates, that eliminates the need for conventional rub rails while retaining their function, and that provides a partition arrangement that is economical of manufacture, convenient to install and use, and that is long lived in operation.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a train operated partition of the top supported, center folding type, in which the panels are higned together in side by side relation for folding and unfolding movement, and in which each panel is supported by its own carrier. The carrier of each panel is free to move or float relative to the panel it supports from the center position on the panel to a position adjacent the leading edge of the panel in the unfolding movement direction. In the wall forming position the panels are in their desired co-planar relation with the individual carriers disposed adjacent the joints between panels, which adds significant stability to the unfolded partition. The resulting arrangement is readily adapted for either manual operation or motorization, and permits all panels in the train to be of the same width and odd or even in number, or have the two end panels of a width different from the others, as is most advantageous from an economical installation standpoint.

Still other objects, uses and advantages will become obvious or be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the application drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a specific embodiment of the invention, with the panels shown in their unfolded or wall forming positions;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4- are diagrammatic plan views illustrating the partition arrangement of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the partition is moved between its stacked relation of FIG. 2 and its wall forming or unfolded relation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a typical cross-sectional view through the overhead trackway, showing the relation thereto of one of the panels supported by the trackway and its carrier;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but taken at thelocation of the leading panel carrier;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental elevational view of the upper end of one of the panels, taken from the far side of the partition shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating the operative locations of the panel carrier in the stacked and wall forming positions of the panel, with the wall forming position of the carrier being indicated in dashed lines;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the overhead trackway, illustrating the manner in which a drive chain may be applied thereto for motorizing the train operated position of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmental sectional view through the lower end of one of the panels illustrating the seal arrangement therefor;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a preferred train operated partition arrangement in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic fragmental cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of FIG. It}.

However, it is to be understood that the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of the Patent Laws, and that the invention may have other embodiments that are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Reference numeral 10 of FIGS. 1 4 generally indicates one embodiment of the invention comprising a train operated operable panel arrangement including a plurality of panels 12 suspended from a trackway 14 by roller type carrier units 16, and hinged at alternate side edges, as at 18 (see FIGS. 2 4), to swing between the wall forming (edge-by-edge) positions shown in FIGS.

1 and 4 and the wall folded or stacked position of FIG. 2, in which the panels are disposed in side by side positioning adjacent the room wall 20 or the like at one side of the space 22 which is to be partitioned by the operable panel arrangement (the opposed wall is indicated at 24). I

The partition arrangement 10 is of the top supported center folding type, meaning that the panels 12 are supported from their upper ends 23, and the carriers 16 are disposed at the center points of the panels 12 in the stacked position of the partition.

As indicated in FIGS. 5 7 and 9, each panel 12 is preferably constructed in a manner that is basically similar to that described in Holloway US. Pat. No. 3,450,185, and thus each panel comprises a frame 30 (see FIG. 5) formed of a top member 32, spaced side members 34 and 36 (see FIG. 1), and a bottom member 38 (see FIG. 9), with the top, bottom and side members being formed from extruded length of aluminum or the like. The side members may have the transverse cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to that shown in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185, while the top and bottom frame members 30 and 38 should have their transverse cross-sectional configurations modified in the manner indicated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9. Frames 30 each mount a pair of opposed, spaced apart covers 26 and 28, seated in cover edge receiving recesses 29 formed by frame members 32, 34, 36 and 38, as disclosed in said Holloway patent (two different types of covers are shown in FIGS. 5 and 9).

In accordance with this invention, the carriers 16 are not fixed in position relative to the respective panels, but rather are free to move or float between the two positions shown in FIG. 7 as the panels are moved from the stacked position of FIG. 2 to the wall or partition forming position of FIG. 4, or from the position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG/2. The carriers 16 each comprise an upper trolley 40 that rides in trackway 14, in the conventional manner, and a lower trolley 41 that rides in a trackway 42 that is defined by the respective panel frame upper members 32. The trolleys 40 and 41 of each carrier 16 are connected together by adjustable pendant connector 44. In the form shown, each panel top member 32 has the transverse cross-sectional configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for its full length (except where it is excised at its ends for connection to side frame members 34 and 36 in accordance with said Holloway patent), and the floating movement of each panel is limited by suitable spaced stops 46 and 48 (see FIG. 7) applied across the trackway 42.

Each carrier 16 in the form shown is preferably biased for movement toward the leading edge 25 of the respective panels, with respect to the direction of movement of the panels from the stacked position of FIG. 2 to the wall forming position of FIG. 4, as by employing a suitable biasing arrangement, such as the spring biasing spring device 50 that is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 7. However, device 50 is intended primarily to keep the carriers 16 adjacent the leading edge of the respective panels, and this function could be served by utilizing a suitable magnetic or mechanical releasable latching device that would release the carrier as its panel starts to move toward the stacked position.

As indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the overhead trackway 14 is equipped with laterally extending trim members or pieces 52 and 54 removably applied to either side thereof, which are respectively equipped with sealing elements 56 and 58 that cooperate with sealing elements 60 and 62 of the respective panel top frame members 32 to form an acoustical seal 63 at the top of the panel when the panels are in the closed position. Where the partition 11) is to be motor operated, the overhead trackway is provided with an endless drive chain type drive 64, comprising a drive chain 66 of a suitable type trained about sprockets 68 and 70 journaled at the ends of the trackway, with the runs 72 and 74 of the chain 66 operating in and supported by the respective slideways 76 and 78 that are defined by the respective trim elements 52 and The drive chain 66 is suitably connected to the leading panel carrier 16 by a suitable connecting device 79 that is indicated in FIG. 6.

The lower frame member 38 of the respective panels is preferably equipped with a floating seal member 80 of the type disclosed in my U.S.A. application Ser. No. 219,256, filed Jan. 20, 1972, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference. Member 80 comprises a strip 84 formed from a suitable vinyl product or its equivalent, and is preferably of one piece construction having the configuration indicated. Reference may be had to my said application for a complete description of the strips 84, but for purposes of this disclosure it is pointed out that the strips 84 are proportioned to extend the length of the respective members 38, and define a sealing wall portion 86 formed with longitudinally extending edge portions 88 and 90 that are protuberant in nature, and are formed to interfit with the slots 92 and 94 that are defined by the frame members 38, in the manner indicated in FIG. 9. The outwardly facing surfaces 96 of the sealing wall portion 86 are adapted to engage the floor surface to be sealed, and the strip 84 has extending from the other side surface 98 thereof a pair of sealing flaps or strip portions 100 and 102 that slidably engage the inside surface 104 and 106 of the respective members 38 in accommodation variations in the floor surface 105.

In the specific panel arrangement of FIGS. 1 4, the panels 12 are connected by hinge 111 to a panel segment 1 12 which is of full height and is in turn pivoted as at 113 at its top and bottom edges, adjacent jamb structure 1 14, to move between the positions indicated in FIGS. 2 and 4 as the panels 12 are moved between folded and unfolded positions. In the embodiment 10A of FIG. 10, the panels 12 are not hinged to the jamb 112A, but rather the stacking end panel 12 has mounted on its trailing edge 116 a roller 117 (see FIG. 11) that rides in a trackway section 118 of simple channel shaped cross-sectional configuration, and suitably supported above the panels 12 at the angulation indicated in FIG. 10, which is approximately 70 to 80 degrees with respect to the plane of the panels in their unfolded wall forming position, with the trackway section 118 being inclined toward the wall 22.

In any event, a basic feature of this invention is that as the panels 12 are moved from the stacked relation shown in FIG. 2 to the wall forming relation shown in FIG. 4, their carriers move from the panel center full line position of FIG. 7 to the dashed line position of FIG. 7 at the leading edge 25 of the panel. As the panels are returned to their stacked position, the movement of the carrier 16 is reversed.

In the showing of FIGS. 2 4, the path of movement of each carrier 16 is illustrated by the rectangles 119 shown along the tops of panels 12.

It will be observed that this invention thus provides a number of important-advantages:

For instance, the rigid mechanical pantograph type operation of conventional train operated partitions that are of the top supported center stacked type is avoided, while at the same time permitting each panel of the partition to be supported by its own carrier. This means that the load carrying requirements of the panel hinges are reduced, permitting smaller or thinner hinges and thus avoiding the need for protruding hinges due to hinge strength thickness requirements.

Each panel having its own carrier also adds to the stability of the partition. This is particularly important in going into and out of the stack. The back folding prob lems of conventional train operated partitions are avoided (keeping in mind that conventional train operated partitions require that only alternate panels have a carrier) without using rub rails. Elimination of back folding problems not only frees the partition from severe strain on hinges and carriers, but also avoids having to take special precautions in track installation that are designed specially to avoid back folding Another advantage of particular importance is the fact that as the partition moves to its wall forming position the carriers move to a position adjacent the hinge points of the partition, which thus provides a stabilizing structure where it is needed most, and insures that the partition will be in its desired flat condition when in its wall forming relation, without requiring rub rails to achieve this end.

Another important advantage is that the panels of the partition may be either even or odd in number, as may seem best desirable from the standpoint of economic installation. Conventional train operated partitions, which have required that only alternate panels have a carrier, have also required that the panels be only odd in number, since the first and last partitions each have to have a carrier. This means that in practicing this invention, and particularly where the embodiment of FIG. is employed, the number of partitions employed may be either even or odd and of all the same size in width.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION As already indicated, the details of the individual panels 12 may follow those described in the said Holloway U.S. Pat. No. 3,450,185, except for the improvements referred to in this application. In this connection, the frame members 32, 34, 36 and 38 are all preferably extruded aluminum components having the crosssectional configurations indicated and cut to appropriate lengths and otherwise excised for assembly in the manner indicated in said Holloway patent.

disclosed in said Holloway patent may be employed in place of seal 81).

The top frame member 32 is in the form of a channelshaped configuration including a base portion 130 and spaced vertically disposed side flange portions 132 and 134 (see FIG. 5) each formed with an appendage or extension structure 136 shaped to define the respective cover receiving recesses 29. The appendages or extensions 136 are also slotted as indicated at 138 to mount the respective seal elements 611 and 62.

As indicated in FIG. 5, the side surfaces 140 and 142 of the respective flange portions 132 and 134 form abutments against which inner cover portions 26A and 28A, where employed, abut.

The frame member 38 is further formed to define opposed projections 144 and 146 that define the respective rollerways 148 and 150 with which the trolley 41 engages to support the respective panels 12. The projections 144 and 146 together with the web 130 and As disclosed in said Holloway patent, the panels may flange portions 132 and 134 define the trackway 42 of the respective panels 12.

The frame member 38 is formed with depending flanges 156 and 158 for reinforcing purposes.

The specific trackway 14 illustrated is of the suspended mount type, and in the form shown generally comprises channel shaped member 160 defining web portion 162 and spaced flange portions 164 and 166 that respectively define opposed extensions 168 and 170 that are respectively formed to define the respective rollerways 172 andl74 on which the trolley 14 rides to support the respective carriers 16 and panels 12 from trackway 14. The channel member 160 also defines the substantially parallel spaced apart, upwardly directed, extensions 176 and 178 that define the upwardly facing abutment portions 180 and 182 against which the mounting channel member 184 is secured by bolt 186 applied to attachment plate 188 formed with threaded opening 190 for the bolt 186. Channel member 184 is formed with suitable openings 192 to receive bolts that suspend same from the ceiling or the like.

The respective flange portions 164 and 166 of the channel member 1611 each define a pair of upwardly directed projections 194 and 196, and 198 and 2110, respectively, which are respectively received in the parallel pairs of mounting slots 202 and 284, and 206 and 208, of the respective trim pieces 52 and 54 The trim pieces 52 and 54 each define a base wall 210 formed with upstanding reinforcing walls 212 and 214 (that define decoration panel receiving recesses 215) and dovetail groove 216 to receive a suitable aligning pin (not shown) at joints of these members. The base wall 210 further includes the upstanding flange 218 that is integral with web 221] affixed to upstanding flange 222 defining the respective hook portions 224 and 226 which define the respective grooves 194 and 196. Walls 212' and 214 support either the drop header panel 195 or ceiling panels 197 that are shown in FIG. 6.

The base wall 210 also includes upstanding wall 230,

which together with wall 218 and the base wall 210 define the respective slideways 76 and 78 for the drive chain runs 72 and 74, respectively. The slideways may be lined with an anti-friction liner 234- formed from a suitable plastic material.

The base wall 210 of the respective trim pieces 52 and 54 is formed with suitable undercut slot 236 to mount the respective seal elements 56 and 58.

The seal elements 56, 58, 60 and 62 that are illustrated are preferably formed from vinyl or the like, and each defines a base wali 240, a plurality of spaced apart upstanding flanges 242, and a ridge 244 of T shaped cross-sectional configuration proportioned to slidably fit in and substantially complement the respective slots 138 and 236. The inner flange 242 of the respective seal strips includes an extension 246 for abutting relation adjacent the opposed portions of the top frame member 38 and the trim members 52 and 54 that are illustrated for bracing and sound sealing purposes.

The carriers 16 each comprise the upper trolley 40 and the lower trolley 41 connected together by connector device 44. The trolley 40 comprises a suitable body 250 having spaced pairs of wheels or rollers 252 suitably journaled on same, and through which extends the bolt 254 that is part of the connector 44, and is received in internally threaded sleeve 256 which is fixed as by welding to the body 258 that comprises the lower trolley 41. Lock nut 260 is employed to hold the bolt 254 in adjusted relation when the respective panels are suspended at the proper relation with respect to the trackway 14. If desired, the pairs of rollers 252 of trolley 40 may be journaled on end sections of body 250 that are journaled in a conventional manner to swivel about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of body 250.

The lower trolley 41'fur'ther comprises suitable rollers 264 journaled in spaced pairs at the ends of same, with the rollers being spaced inwardly of the respective ends 266 and 268 so that the latter may engage the respective stops 46 and 48.

The bolt 254 is received in the body 250 of trolley 40' for rotational movement therein to permit the desired swiveling movement of the bolt 254 and the trolley 41 it carries relative to the trackway 14. Bolt 254 includes suitable head 270 which rests on suitable washer 272 that may have antifriction characteristics.

The stops 46 and 48 are similar in structural arrangement, each comprising a channel-shaped or an angleshaped element 280 (see FIG. 7) suitably fixed in place on the web portion 130 of the panel frame member 32, and within trackway 42, as by employing a suitable screw 282. The angle members 280 of each panel are spaced apart the distance required so that the carriers 16 engage them at the respective positions indicated in FIG. 7. As previously indicated, when the carrier 16 is in the full line position of FIG. 7, the panel is in stacked relation, while when the carrier is in the dashed line position of FIG. 7, the panel is in its wall forming relation.

The leading panel 12 may have a suitable resilient bumper 285 applied to its leading edge 25 that bears in sound sealing relation against wall 24 in the wall forming position of the partition 10.

The resilient biasing device in the form shown comprises a suitable tension spring290 having one of its ends 292 suitably anchored to a bracket 294 suitably fixed to the frame member 32, and having its otherend 296 secured to a cord 298 trained over a pulley 300 suitably journaled on the frame member 32 and connected to trolley 40 at 302. This device is shown for illustrative purposes only, however, as its primary function is to hold the carriers adjacent edges 25 while the panels remain in their wall forming positions, and thus releasable latch or catch devices of a suitable mechanical, magnetic, friction, etc. type appropriately cooperating with the individual carriers and releasing them when the panels are to be stacked will be satisfactory.

The sprockets 68 and 70 of the drive 64 are keyed to the respective shafts 304 and 306 which are journaled in suitable brackets 308 and 310 affixed to either end of trackway 14. Shaft 306 is driven by a suitable drive chain trained over sprocket 312, that is keyed to shaft 306, and driven by a suitable motor drive (not shown).

In the arrangement of FIGS. 1 4, the panel 112 includes extension 301 that cooperates with jamb member 303.

In the arrangement 10A of FIG. 10, the panels 12 and their carriers 16 are the same as the embodiments 10. Edge 116 of the stacking end panel 12 seats against jamb member 112A in the wall forming position of partition 10A, as indicated in dashed lines. In this arrangement, the panels may be started in their folding operation, from their wall forming relation, without having to press the first hinge joint out of alignment with the rest of the panels, as is required by the arrangement of half panel jamb connection arrangement of FIGS. 1 4. Arrow 314 of FIG. 4 indicates the folding starting action required for that embodiment The roller 117 of FIG. 10 is journaled on bracket 316 fixed to the stacking end panel 12. Stop 318 at the end 320 of guideway 118 braces the panels in the stacked position.

While the embodiments illustrated are of the top supported type the principles of the invention are fully applicable to folding partitions of the bottom supported type in which type the carriers 16 do not serve weight supporting purposes but retain their roller guiding function. I also contemplate that side stack folding panel arrangements may be made of the train operated type by applying the floating carrier concept of this invention to alternate panels (those on which the carrier must float for the panels to move between stacked and wall forming positions).

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A center stacking folding partition arrangement comprising:

a plurality of panels hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming and wall folded positions,

an overhead trackway defining the path of movement of said panels between their said positions,

each of said panels having a roller guide operably mounted on said trackway,

said guides respectively being secured to the respective panels for movement with respect thereto along the width dimension thereof from adjacent the center of the respective panels to a position adjacent the leading edges of same as said panels are moved between wall folded and wall forming positions,

said panels each comprising:

a frame including a top member defining a trackway extending along the width dimension of the panel,

and a trolley device riding on the respective panel trackways,

with the panel guide being operably connected to the panel trolley device whereby said overhead trackway guides the respective trolley devices for movement relative to the respective panel trackways.

2. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein each panel includes:

means for releasably securing said guides at their positions adjacent the leading edge of same.

3. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein each panel includes:

stop means limiting said movement of said guides between said positions thereof along the respective panel trackways.

4. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein said overhead trackway comprises:

a generally channel shaped member defining an open side forming rideways on either side of same,

said guides each including a trolley riding on the respective rideways,

said panel trolleys being connected to the respective guide trolleys for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis for accommodating panel movement between said wall forming and Wall folded positions.

5. The arrangement set forth in claim 4 including:

an endless drive chain trained lengthwise of said overhead trackway and adjacent same,

means for connecting one run of said chain to the guide of the leading panel,

and means for selectively driving said drive chain in forward and reverse directions to move said panels between said wall forming and wall folded positions.

6. The arrangement set forth in claim 5 wherein the runs of said drive chain are supported by trim members carried by said channel member.

7. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 including interengaging acoustical sealing means carried by said overhead trackway and the respective panels for interengaging in acoustical sealing relation in the wall forming position of said panels.

8. Ina train operated center stacking folding partition arrangement that includes a plurality of panels hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming and wall folded positions between opposed wall surfaces of a space to be partitioned, and an overhead trackway defining the path of movement of said panels between their said positions, with each of said panels having a carrier operably mounted on the trackway for guiding relation therewith, the improvement wherein:

said panels each define a trackway extending along the width dimension of same adjacent the upper end'of same and extending from adjacent the center of the respective panels to adjacent the leading edges of same,

and a roller device riding on the respective panel trackways,

with the panel carrier of the respective panels being operably connected to the roller device thereof whereby the overhead trackway guides the respective roller devices for movement relative to the respective panel trackways,

whereby as said panels are moved between wall folded and wall forming positions, the respective panel carriers move along the width dimension of the respective panels to a position adjacent the leading edges of same.

9. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein:

said panels are all of substantially equal dimension in width.

10. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein:

at the stacking end of said partition a half width panel connects said panels to the jarnb at said stacking end.

11. The improvement set forth in claim 8 including:

means for releasably holding said carriers toward their positions adjacent said leading edges of the respective panels.

12. The improvement set forth in claim 8 including driving means secured to the carrier of the panel at the leading end of said partition for moving said panels between said positions.

13. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein:

the panel at the stacking end of said partition has a guide roller secured to same adjacent the trailing edge of same,

and including a guide track mounted in guiding relation to said guide roller at an angle on the order of to degrees with respect to the path of movement defined by said overhead trackway for guiding said stacking end panel trailing edge between the wall folded and wall forming positions thereof. 

1. A center stacking folding partition arrangement comprising: a plurality of panels hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming and wall folded positions, an overhead trackway defining the path of movement of said panels between their said positions, each of said panels having a roller guide operably mounted on said trackway, said guides respectively being secured to the respective panels for movement with respect thereto along the width dimension thereof from aDjacent the center of the respective panels to a position adjacent the leading edges of same as said panels are moved between wall folded and wall forming positions, said panels each comprising: a frame including a top member defining a trackway extending along the width dimension of the panel, and a trolley device riding on the respective panel trackways, with the panel guide being operably connected to the panel trolley device whereby said overhead trackway guides the respective trolley devices for movement relative to the respective panel trackways.
 2. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein each panel includes: means for releasably securing said guides at their positions adjacent the leading edge of same.
 3. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein each panel includes: stop means limiting said movement of said guides between said positions thereof along the respective panel trackways.
 4. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 wherein said overhead trackway comprises: a generally channel shaped member defining an open side forming rideways on either side of same, said guides each including a trolley riding on the respective rideways, said panel trolleys being connected to the respective guide trolleys for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis for accommodating panel movement between said wall forming and wall folded positions.
 5. The arrangement set forth in claim 4 including: an endless drive chain trained lengthwise of said overhead trackway and adjacent same, means for connecting one run of said chain to the guide of the leading panel, and means for selectively driving said drive chain in forward and reverse directions to move said panels between said wall forming and wall folded positions.
 6. The arrangement set forth in claim 5 wherein the runs of said drive chain are supported by trim members carried by said channel member.
 7. The arrangement set forth in claim 1 including interengaging acoustical sealing means carried by said overhead trackway and the respective panels for interengaging in acoustical sealing relation in the wall forming position of said panels.
 8. In a train operated center stacking folding partition arrangement that includes a plurality of panels hinged together in side by side relation for movement between wall forming and wall folded positions between opposed wall surfaces of a space to be partitioned, and an overhead trackway defining the path of movement of said panels between their said positions, with each of said panels having a carrier operably mounted on the trackway for guiding relation therewith, the improvement wherein: said panels each define a trackway extending along the width dimension of same adjacent the upper end of same and extending from adjacent the center of the respective panels to adjacent the leading edges of same, and a roller device riding on the respective panel trackways, with the panel carrier of the respective panels being operably connected to the roller device thereof whereby the overhead trackway guides the respective roller devices for movement relative to the respective panel trackways, whereby as said panels are moved between wall folded and wall forming positions, the respective panel carriers move along the width dimension of the respective panels to a position adjacent the leading edges of same.
 9. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein: said panels are all of substantially equal dimension in width.
 10. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein: at the stacking end of said partition a half width panel connects said panels to the jamb at said stacking end.
 11. The improvement set forth in claim 8 including: means for releasably holding said carriers toward their positions adjacent said leading edges of the respective panels.
 12. The improvement set forth in claim 8 including driving means secured to the carrier of the panel at thE leading end of said partition for moving said panels between said positions.
 13. The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein: the panel at the stacking end of said partition has a guide roller secured to same adjacent the trailing edge of same, and including a guide track mounted in guiding relation to said guide roller at an angle on the order of 70 to 80 degrees with respect to the path of movement defined by said overhead trackway for guiding said stacking end panel trailing edge between the wall folded and wall forming positions thereof. 